There’s over half a million feature films in the world. Did you know that? Well, allegedly. I will admit I found that fact out through a quick google search and did zero source-checking. Regardless—I think it is safe to assume there’s a lot of movies. I’ve probably seen….I don’t know, less than 100 of them?

Now, that is Old News to anyone who knows me—I’ve never been what you’d call a “movie person.” Why? Topically, I argue that it is something about the length, but a closer examination proves that to be untrue. I try to read 100 books every year, which obviously take up a fair amount of my time—far more than a feature-length film. I also love literally anything slapped on a stage. I want to see my dramas acted right in front of my face, but I shirk away if it is on a screen. What is it, then? I’m loathe to admit it, but it is almost certainly some kind of superiority complex. In my prior mind, film was an inferior way to ingest a story. As a result, I’ve missed out on lots of great things. I’m working to rectify that situation now. Enter: the Chronicles of a Reluctant Cinephile. I’ll keep you up-to-date on the films I watch, and I’ll let you know if any of them are entering my Cinema Cannon. (Spoiler Alert—over 2/3 of them this month did).

What these chronicles are not: comprehensive movie reviews with real plot points and actors and “where to stream” and yada yada yada. I’m pretty sure you can find that information in .5 seconds for yourself. That’s the boring stuff.

These cinematic chronicles are going to be….ahh….a little bit more esoteric. Think of: general vibes, snack pairings, fit checks, superlatives, maybe a one-line synopsis if I’m feeling super profesh. But those are the kinds of reviews I like—if I trust that a person has taste (and trust me, I do), then all I need is their nudge in the right direction. So that’s what this is: a collection of gentle nudges.

That enough of that—here’s what I watched this month, organized like a senior year book with superlatives, for no other reason than because that was the first concept that came to mind, and that also sounds like fun.

Sunset Boulevard (1950)

Biggest Drama Queen

*“All right, Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close up.”*

Sunset Blvd. on broadway this summer was really my theatre reawakening. I had forgotten how magical stage productions could be—but Nicole and Tom and Jamie Lloyd reawakened that love in me. Unfamiliar? Watch this tiny desk concert, or else at least this video of Sir Tom belting out the title track. Of course, I had to watch the original source material for Sunset. It’s spectacular. It really is one of my most favorite stories I’ve ever encountered. And holy holy, is it dramatic.

Sirocco and the Kingdom of the Winds (2023)

Most Likely to do Ayahuasca in the Parking Lot

*“Your song came to me on the wind.”*

I saw this French animated movie at a World Film Festival at ND, and it is the trippiest, most beautiful animation with a heartfelt message. I was riveted. It is short, unexpected, and completely beautiful.

Cabaret (1972)

Most timelessly relevant

*“Aren't you ever gonna stop deluding yourself, hmm…behaving like some ludicrous little underage femme fatale? You're... you're about as fatale as an after dinner mint!”*

How has my little musical theatre-loving heart gone so long without experiencing Cabaret?!?! I used to have verrrrrrrry short brown hair, and one of my colleagues almost continuously compared me to Sally Bowles, which I took to be an insult upon my looks. Well, I was wrong. Liza is a force of nature in this movie, and I should have taken it to be the ultimate compliment. With fascism on the rise, this movie is more relevant than ever. Worth a watch for both a compelling character study as well as social commentary.

K-Pop Demon Hunters (2025)

Most Popular

“I’m done hiding, now I’m shining, like I’m born to be.”

There seem to be only two kinds of people in the world now: those who have watched this movie a dozen times and those who still haven’t heard of it. Well, this is a lie. I’ve only seen it once, stretched over three days. The music is wonderful. I’m so proud of the women who sit at #1 on the Billboard now as a result of it.

Freaky Friday (2003)

Most likely to plan the high school reunion

*“When what you see is what you lack, then selfless love will change you back.”*

Accidentally watched this one night (and my husband got sucked in, too). This was an OG favorite of mine in high school, and my rewatch showed it stood the test of time. I was hoping to see Freakier Friday in theatres, which was the antecedent to my viewing. I may still!

Charade (1963)

Most fashionable

“Do we know each other? Because I already know an awful lot of people, and until one of them dies I couldn't possibly meet anyone else.”

Audrey is fully my queen, guys. Every movie she is in, she brings this unique blend of elegance, humor, and complete command of the room. I don’t understand how she does it. Charade is no different. It’s a long movie, but completely engrossing. Added plus: Givenchy provided Audrey’s entire wardrobe, and it is completely gorgeous. The coats! Oh, the coats. Also, I totally get the Carey Grant hype now. Like, totally.

What entered the Cinephile Cannon this month:
I watched a grand total of six films this month. Four of them are earning spots in my Cinephile Cannon: Sunset, Sirroco, Charade, and Caberet. I am tempted to put Freaky Friday in there as well, but it seems more of a vestige and less of a cannon film for me. I mean…should we? Should we say literally 83% of the films I watched are cannon as of now? You know what? Let’s amend. And starting now, we are going to begin building our top 100 films of life (Allie’s 2025 edition). Here’s what we have:

Cabaret
Sunset Blvd.
Sirocco and the Kingdom of the Wind
Charade
Freaky Friday

We will keep adding to this list as we watch and re-watch films from the past. I like this plan! What a great plan. On the docket for September? Well, I’ve wanted to form a Sophia Coppola Film Club. I also want to watch every Wes Anderson. And I’m addicted to watching foreign films. So that’s probably where we are in terms of what to expect in our next chronicle. Did you watch anything amazing this month? Let me know in the comments below.

-xx-

-Allie

Chronicles of a Reluctant Cinephile: August 2025